Builder profile: Cornerstone Communities

The first in an occasional series that will spotlight local home builders, this week Michael Sabourin, president and COO of Cornerstone Communities shares his perspective on trends of the regional building scene, as well as his company’s philosophies on providing quality new homes in San Diego.

Since 1994, Cornerstone Communities has acquired, mapped, developed, constructed and sold over 12,000 lots in San Diego. But, according to Cornerstone President and COO Michael Sabourin, it is not so much these accomplishments that define success as it is his company’s greatest asset — its people.

The privately held San Diego-based company, which developed Encinitas Ranch in the late-1990s, currently has seven active community projects in San Diego: four in South County, two in North County, and one in San Diego. Its offerings are priced from the $200,000s into the million dollar range.

According to Sabourin, the housing market has turned for the better and for the first time in several years he is confident in the projected sales reports. Sabourin said Cornerstone has projected 180 orders for new homes through the end of this year, and his company has already seen a 120 percent increase in sales. With three to four sales per month, Cornerstone’s community waiting lists grow each day.

It is no secret that available land for builders in San Diego is being snatched-up, which is what shapes the trend toward higher density new home community plans, according to Sabourin.

“Currently, there is a lot-buying frenzy in San Diego,” said Sabourin. “There are 10 to 15 suitors for each land offering.”

This demand for land, he says, means land prices are increasing, which will in turn push up home prices in San Diego.

Just as Sabourin recognizes the planning and development trends of the new home building industry, he says that professionals like himself recognize a “new norm” in consumer demands. More and more, says Sabourin, buyers want a simpler lifestyle.

Veranza at The Summit Eastlake by Cornerstone Communities is a good example of designing to meet these new desires.Originally, the design there was for triplexes with no yards, but when the Cornerstone design team revised the plans for Veranza, the end result is three two-story townhome floor plans, each efficiently designed and elegantly modeled. The Veranza plans offer great rooms, patio yards and two-car garages from the mid-$200,000s.

Like other new home builders in San Diego, Cornerstone’s business was hurt by the recession. Instead of cutting most of the employee roster, however, Sabourin and partner CEO Ure Kretowicz managed to keep their key staff — many that have been with Cornerstone for more than 15 years. Now, with 35 loyal team-oriented employees, Cornerstone is well-positioned and ready for the housing market’s upswing, says Sabourin.

“Our greatest asset is our people,” Sabourin said. “And, our products reflect the personal stake of each of our employees ... When planning and designing a new project we ask ourselves, ‘Would I want to live with that?’”

Sabourin says his pride in his company comes from the teamwork and harmony of Cornerstone’s employees, and the 20-plus years of partnership with Kretowicz. It is apparent, he says, in every aspect of each the finished Cornerstone projects.